Robert McGregor inside the dining area of his home at 1013 W. Yandell in the Sunset Heights historic district. It was formerly the personal home of famed El Paso architect Henry Trost and retains much of its originality, including the use of wood throughout, giving it a darkened look illuminated by stained glass lamps. It will be on view during Saturday’s Sunset Tour of Homes.(Photo: RUDY GUTIERREZ / EL PASO TIMES)Buy Photo

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Deep appreciation and homage are ingrained in the hardwood walls of the multilevel house at 1013 W. Yandell Dr.

It was notable architect Henry Trost's personal home, which he occupied with his sister Matilda and two brothers. The home, built by Trost from 1908 to 1909, resembles the Dana-Thomas House in Springfield, Ill. that was built by another famed architect — Frank Lloyd Wright.

Both houses have a similar cruciform shape in the interior and the exteriors feature a pitched gable roof.

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Architectural elements on the exterior of home at 1013 W. Yandell. The home was designed by famed architect Henry Trost and served as his personal home.(Photo: RUDY GUTIERREZ / EL PASO TIMES)

Robert McGregor, who grew up in the home and still lives there, will open it to the public Saturday, Oct. 14, as part of the 14th Annual Sunset Heights Tour of Homes.

The home will be one of seven on the tour, which also features the Hal Marcus Gallery, 1308 N. Oregon, as part of a fundraiser for the Sunset Heights Neighborhood Improvement Association.

McGregor said the exterior of the home caught the attention of his parents, Malcolm and Bobba, who became its third owners.

"They liked the design and my father was a big Frank Lloyd Wright afficionado," he said.

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High ceilings in the den of this Henry Trost home at 1013 W, Yandell. (Photo: RUDY GUTIERREZ / EL PASO TIMES)

Trost died in 1933 on the front porch of the home and the remaining Trosts lived there until 1948 when it was sold to the Grossbecks family. The McGregor's later purchased the home from the Grossbecks.

McGregor said he is not surprised the house is dark with lots of oak and veneer on the walls and decorative wood planks on the ceiling since it was built mostly for three bachelors. Two of the Trost brothers moved out when they got married later in life.

"It's pretty cleverly designed as the entry way is small and seems modest and then the house opens up and people are surprised when they come in," he said. "People always remark about the house. It's a great house for entertaining because it's open."

The entry way, at the start of a cross shape, opens up to a living area on one side and the dining area on the other. In between, there are 4- to 5-foot partitions with Japanese-style lanterns. Across the entry way is a small reading or gathering nook.

During the spring and summer, the sun brings in light through the numerous stained glass windows with a cactus design.

McGregor, an El Paso Community College educator, said it was a fun house to grow up in, and maybe a little dangerous. A few pieces such as the dining table, a small couch and table are original to the home and all feature hard edges.

"My brother and I played tag on this table and it broke," he said of the dark wood table with matching chairs. "And then both my brother and I broke an arm climbing on the roof through the outside."

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Robert McGregor inside the dining area of his home at 1013 W. Yandell in the Sunset Heights historic district. It was formerly the personal home of famed El Paso architect Henry Trost and retains much of its originality, including the use of wood throughout giving it a darkened look illuminated by stained glass lamps. It will be on view during Saturday’s Sunset Tour of Homes.
RUDY GUTIERREZ / EL PASO TIMES